First off, Im a Vietnamese-American (citizen, born here in the US). Im obtaining my degree this February (2014) from a state university. My gpa isn't too impressive (2.9x) and I did not major in English. I dont have any type of certification, but what I really want to do is move back to Vietnam for the long term after I get my degree. I have gone back to visit a couple times and fell in love with the country and it's culture. Id really like to get into this career since Ive always aspired to be a teacher. My original plan was actually to go to graduate school for Education, but ive decided that I really want to move back to Vietnam. Anyways, what do you guys think of my chances? Ive heard that being Vietnamese-American will be detrimental to my chances of employment, so should I still try to apply without having a Tefl/Celta? I cant afford the certifications at the moment since I still have to pay off my student loans (about 30k worth of loans), but I will be going to Vietnam once again in February/March after I graduate to visit for a few months. Should I try handing out my resume when I get there and just hope for the best? Thanks for taking the time to read my long wall of text!

If it matters, Ive visited Can Tho, Saigon, Da lat, Kien Giang, Ha tieng, and love every place. So im sure I wouldn't mind any location. I speak fluent Vietnamese but my native language is English. Ive been told I look Japanese though..

This - but the OP will probably still need to see a teaching qualification (at least a CELTA) and at least 6 months to a year of classroom teaching experience (as opposed to teaching adults in a training center). After that he's gold for an international school/private school with an international curriculum - a Vietnamese-speaking teacher with a masters who can teach using western teaching methods AND has ESL experience? Daaaaaaaaayum.

Like /u/chinadonkey says you want to get a CELTA first. There are plenty of schools that will take you without it but you don't want to work at those places. If you're already set moving here you can get a CELTA from schools here in the country then start teaching.

Unfortunately because you're Vietnamese-American it's going to cause some problems. Some of my other Vietnamese-American friends have had issues with parents and students because they don't "look like" they know English. This isn't the norm by any means but could definitely be an issue.

I'll be going there in 4 months, and staying for 3 or 4 months, so i'll definitely be getting a CELTA. I realize its going to be difficult with the way I look and all, but hopefully, if I knock on enough doors, someone will welcome me.

If you want to teach in Vietnam, get a CELTA. It's not that much (~$1600) and will get you work at a legit school where race isn't a factor in hiring decisions. You could show up and find work at backpacker schools, but you won't make as much, they won't help you with your visa and the working conditions are generally shit.

Also, if you're interested in a MEd there are lots of distance learning options you can pursue while you're here.

Thanks for the advice! I'll be getting the CELTA and hopefully with a little bit of luck, i'll get something somewhere. I do have 6 months tutoring experience, tutoring high school kids, through the state. Hopefully that will count for something too. Do you think having a degree in Mathematics instead of English would be detrimental to me finding employment at all? Or would the CELTA make up for that?